see also: in April 2004:   European Community and Department of Homeland Security Sign Landmark Agreement to Improve Container Security and Expand CSI   Fast Dedicated Lane Opens at Champlain, NY   CBP Border Patrol Agents Disable Drug Smuggling Operation   Commissioner Bonner Dedicates Fast Lane In Laredo   Advance Electronic Transmission Of Inbound Rail Cargo Data   U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Commerce Department Sign Agreement for Use of Data ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Blaine, Washington - On April 10, 2004, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers assigned to the Peace Arch port of entry apprehended a wanted fugitive driving a stolen vehicle. A female passenger in the vehicle was also arrested. A search of the stolen vehicle revealed a loaded Uzi semi-automatic rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a loaded .380 semi-automatic pistol.

An uzi semi-automatic rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, .380 semi-automatic pistol and an assortment of clips and ammo were seized when CBP officers apprehended a wanted fugitive driving a stolen vehicle.

CBP officers apprehended 22-year-old Aaron Richard Roberts and female passenger Katherine Elizabeth Harrison, (19), both from Seattle. Roberts' warrants included escape and robbery and he had a significant criminal history including convictions for robbery, assault, and weapons violations. Roberts initially provided false identification information to officers, but CBP fingerprint checks with the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) provided Roberts true identity.

"These arrests demonstrate CBP's commitment to securing our nation's borders from criminals of all types," said CBP Blaine Area Port Director Peg Fearon. "Our officers' swift response to this dangerous situation prevented a possible tragedy."

Roberts and Harrison had driven northbound toward the Canadian port of entry on Interstate 5 late Friday evening, but turned southbound toward the U.S. and approached the Peace Arch entry. Routine license plate queries resulted in a positive match for a stolen vehicle and five CBP officers responded to extract the two suspects from the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of the shotgun in the trunk, the loaded Uzi in luggage, the loaded .380 pistol in the glove box, and the .40 caliber pistol under the passenger seat.

Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) interviewed and arrested Harrison for alleged involvement in the auto theft. The Whatcom County Sheriff's Department was contacted and took custody of Roberts and Harrison and transported them to the Whatcom County Jail.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the protection of our nation's borders. CBP unified Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture Inspectors and the Border Patrol into one border agency for the United States.